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Food companies

spin ‘healthy’

Food makers such as PepsiCo and groups such as the Sugar Association were among the exhibitors at an annual dietitians conference in Boston, an illustration of the often conflicted links between the food industry and nutrition.

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics says that health experts know the difference between marketing and science. David Wiss of Dietitians for Professional Integrity says the industry’s influence is so entrenched that many take it at face value.

Here are excerpts from handouts in the expo hall of this year’s convention:

PepsiCo handed out sheets explaining how its “Simply” line of Frito-Lay chips including Cheetos, Tostitos and Ruffles differ from their traditional counterparts. The Simply versions use ingredients such as organic corn, whole wheat, sea salt and expeller-pressed sunflower oil for “a premium snacking experience.”

In a sheet offering tips for “Pleasing Picky Eaters Taste Buds,” the Sugar Association noted that “youngsters may find vegetables sprinkled with a small amount of sugar before they’re cooked more enjoyable to eat.”

Kellogg had a pamphlet called “The Story of Snacking” that said it is “continually developing superior snack foods that provide more of what people want and need and less of what they are trying to reduce.”

Some snacking suggestions: carrot sticks and hummus, an apple and peanut butter, and bean dip with a single-serve tub of Pringles chips. Kellogg acquired Pringles in 2012.

Mondelez International, which makes Oreo cookies, had a laminated guide showing how people could use its Nabisco products to get 48 grams of whole grains daily. People could circle such products as Wheat Thins, Honey Maid crackers and Newtons.

The National Confectioners Association’s “Guide To Moderate Candy Consumption” offered a chart with daily options that fall between 50 and 100 calories. That included 15 small jelly beans and two strings of licorice and 10 gummi bears.

The Associated Press

Cupcake decorating

class is in Dobson

Surry County Community College is offering a class in decorating cupcakes from 6 to 9 p.m. Monday.

Stephanie Venable from Granny Ruth’s Bakery will lead the class, demonstrating cupcakes decorated with a Christmas theme.

Participants will learn how to properly ice cupcakes as well as a variety of piping techniques.

The class will be at the Center for Public Safety, 1220 State St., Mount Airy.

The cost is $20. Advance registration is required. Some supplies are needed; please request a supply list. For more information and registration, call (336) 386-3398.

Michael Hastings

New LaBelle

cooking show

Singer Patti LaBelle will host a new cooking show called “Patti LaBelle’s Place,” beginning at 11 a.m. Saturday.

The six-episode series will feature such guests as Estelle, Kirk Franklin and Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson.

The shows highlight LaBelle’s entertaining for friends and family.

In various episodes LaBelle cooks cornmeal fried catfish with chef Carla Hall, beef short ribs her friend Gayle King and pork chops and sauteed cabbage with Ta’Rhonda Jones, a rapper and “Empire” actress.

Michael Hastings

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